PROGRAM NOTES 12/28/12-
This weeks show features stories from RADIO DEUTSCHE-WELLE, the VOICE OF RUSSIA, NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN, CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL, and RADIO HAVANA CUBA.

From GERMANY- Egypt's upper house of Parliament assumed full power on Wednesday, while protests against the referendum results continued. Germany has experienced record high temperatures this Christmas season. Russian President Putin visited India to sign trade deals while huge protests continued over the gang rape of a student. Military in Yemen killed tribesmen suspected of attacking an oil pipeline.

From RUSSIA- Yemeni officials have remained silent about civilian deaths from US drone attacks- after a recent cover-up was exposed, tribesmen rose up in protest. The US military is to begin sending troops to train and equip the government militias in 35 African nations.

From JAPAN- Chinese aircraft are flying every day in the range of the islands Japan claims. The US will sell 4 hi-performance drones to South Korea. North Korea state media expressed wariness over the new Japanese government, accusing them of having militaristic plans. A new oil pipeline has opened between eastern Siberia to Russia's coast facing the Sea of Japan.

From CHINA- Iran denies aiding N Korea in its missile launch, while talks between Russia and the US on missile deployment have stalled. A brief report on Mayans in Guatemala celebrating the start of a new era. China is boosting the amount of desalinated sea water in the next 2 years. China is calling on the new Japanese government to make concrete efforts to promote healthy relations.

From CUBA- Israel has approved another 1200 housing units around Jerusalem, bringing to 5500 the number of new units in the past week. Iran has reiterated its opposition to foreign military intervention in Syria, while Iran has experienced a new wave of government computer hacking by the US and Israel. According to a German magazine, elite troops from the US and France are training in Jordan for an invasion of Syria.

"The best teachers are those who tell you where to look, but don't tell you what to see."
--Alexandra K Trenfor